Political, Situational, and other News Affecting Wentzville, St. Charles County, St. Louis Metropolitan, Missouri, and the Nation as a Whole.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Wentzville Alderwoman Wright Feels Threatened by Alderman Swanson

COPIED FROM FOX 2 BETSY BRUCE - January 28, 2016

FOX 2 NEWS WENTZVILLE, MO (KTVI) - A Wentzville alderman (Swanson)
says he used the wrong word when he suggested a fellow alderman's
election opponent could be "eliminated." However, that is not satisfying
the alderwoman (Wright) who says she felt threatened by the phone
message.

Alderwomen Linda Wright brought the issue to the
forefront during a regular board meeting Wednesday night. She played the
phone message from her colleague, Alderman Matt Swanson.

In the message Swanson said, "I just got a call from somebody who wants
to talk to you and hopefully we can eliminate your opponent. So if you
get a chance, give me a call and I think you'll be really pleased with
what I have to say."

Alderwoman Wright said she was scared by the
message and wondered if she would be safe and if her election opponent
would be safe. She added during the Wednesday meeting, "Is there a
payoff coming to someone?" She believes it is an effort to get her to
stop supporting the current mayor, Nick Guccione, who is being
challenged in his reelection bid.

Alderman Swanson said Thursday
he meant no harm to anyone in his message. While Wright believes it was
an inappropriate effort to influence her vote, Swanson thinks she is
retaliating against him politically. He believes the city board should
investigate Mayor Guccione. However, board members decided during a
closed executive session not to do that. Wright said she believes there
is no evidence the mayor did anything wrong during the selection of a
new city prosecutor.